Gordon Ralphs will be one of the Olympic Torch Bearers on the 10^th July.  There is no exact time yet, but it will be between 6 and 7 pm and will be one of the legs between London Road, London Street, Southampton Street and through the Oracle Shopping Centre in Reading.  Thames Water who are one of the sponsors of the Games and who put forward Gordon’s name, is buying his copy of the torch for him to keep.   He will also be having his photograph taken with his torch and his two beloved Manchester Terriers once he has completed his leg and his torch has been professionally decommissioned.  Each torch carries enough gas to transport the flame for about ten minutes, so the flame is passed from torch to torch.

The Northern Super Pup has been held once again, organised by Lesley and Nigel Norris of the Brookstream Manchester Terriers.  There were 18 puppies representing their societies.  The BMTC was represented by Calastoa Lucky Star owned and shown by Janet Forshaw.  They won 3 heats and were only beaten by the winner of BIS, a Beagle.  A wonderful start to the pup’s showing career; we will look forward to seeing her soon at shows.  The discerning judge was Sarah Hatterell.

In America a Manchester Terrier, or Standard as it is known in America, called Lily has completed her 10^th run to qualify for her CAA [Coursing Aptitude Advanced].  The site hound people are impressed with her.  She runs the big dog course, 600 yards and wins.  I have asked for her owner’s name, but only know that she is called Susan.  Lily’s achievements are amazing and so are all the titles that go with them.  She is Ch Cadecs Lily of the Valley BN, RN, MX, MJX, NF, AXP. AJP, NFP, CAA, CGC, plus about 5 Agility titles and an ASCA rally title etc.  Susan says that they are not done yet. 

There is a picture on the Bedlington Terrier Association site of a Manchester beating a Bedlington at Lure coursing.  We think that it must be one of Pam Stubbingtons girls.

Colin Powell will be giving tickets to Manchesters for the first time at Bournemouth show in 2013.

Ella Eva

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Did you see the lovely pictures in DW of Felicity Freer and her Martha [Ch Mansiya Casting Circles at Fellfree] winning Group 3 at National Terrier?

It was sad to see that Marion Spavin is retiring from Judging.  She is on our A1 Specialist List as she was, in the 1970’s, in partnership with Bryan Moorhouse of the Manterr Manchester Terriers.  Between 1969 and 1972 they bred 19 Manchester Terriers; including one litter of seven puppies and one with three Champions, Ch Manterr Maharani, Margarita and Marquis.  Maharani was owned and shown by Dorrie Richmond.  I can remember winning Open Dog with my sister’s Menfreya Midas at a Club show, with Bernie Fallon Judging, and thinking that at least we had won BD, when along came Marquis in Veteran and pipped us at the post.  Bryan Moorhouse used to say that the Veteran Classes were just a bit of fun.  I wish he had told Bernie that.

In Holland Ch X-pected Dinemites Devon has had some amazing wins: three Best Baby Puppy in Group and 1 In Show, 2 Best in Group, 11 BP in Group, 1 BPIS and he is only 9 months old.  His owner is wondering what to buy him for his 1^st Birthday present.  She thinks that it has to be a Porsche.

Nicola Janes Dodger has had some good wins at Agility again.  At a TAG show at Shrewsbury he won 2 Grade 5 Agility classes and was second in the Grade 5 Jumping.  He now moves up to Grade 6 and has enough points to claim his Bronze Agility Warrant.  Carol Wickers Manchester Terriers did well too at the Norfolk Easter Agility show.  Her Solo managed a 2^nd place and a clear round despite Carol limping round as she had a knee injury.

DODGER DOING AGILITY

My Sam has been abroad; he went to the Isle of Wight show and managed to win his class.

Ella Eva

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The breed in general had a triumphant weekend at National Terrier, starting with an excellent entry for our Judge jack Watson and ending with the Best of Breed being third Best in Show under Judge Ferelith Somerfield.  Felicity Freer’s Ch Mansiya Casting Circles at Felfree [Ch Sophyla Sorcerer at M JW ShCM X Am Ch Oakwoods Special Edition for M] was BOB.  We think that she is the only Manchester Terrier to have had two wins in the Terrier Group, this one, the second at Boston and the first to have been placed in the Group at National Terrier.  The Norris’s new pup Calastoa’s Whos That Girl at Brookstream [Mansiya Word to the Wise a C X Ch C Ruby Tuesday] was Best Puppy and according to those who stayed to watch the Groups she was a star; showing like a veteran.  Lesley Brander has not shown for some time, but had a triumphant return to the ring, winning the dog ticket with Boris, Ch Churnet Concerto at Menfreya [Ch Newtonian Slim Shady JW ShCM X C Crescendo] that is his 6^th CC.  She has a new puppy too, who also won her class.  The RCCs were won by the Renshaw and Robinson’s Talanors Smart Treat with Westbank [Ch Calastoa Amber Nectar X Ch T Trick N Treat] and the Oxley’s Digelsa De Ja Vu [Ch Newtonian Slim Shady JW ShCM X Ch Digelsa Double Entendre JW ShCM] out of Junior.  There were 11 new puppies showing which is great news for the breed, two at least of them owned and shown by people new to the breed and I think to showing. Valerie Saville was showing for the first time and said that she felt like a rabbit trapped in the headlights when she was in the ring.  She looked just fine to the rest of us.  

FELICITY FREER AND BOB, TERRIER GROUP 4 - CH MANSIYA CASTING CIRCLES AT FELFREE

Manchesters had some good publicity at Crufts too; Chris Dunning and her Ebbie gave two demonstrations of Heelwork to Music. 

 There is news from Australia that Paige Saunders’ Aust Ch Mansiya Yurruga By Design has come top of the All Breed Leader Board for 2012.  She also won the Breed Challenge 2012.  The first is for BIS, RBIS and Group wins; the latter is for wins at any Championship show throughout Australia.  She is also the Up and Coming Youngster in the breed, this is for dogs up to 18 months.   She has literally swept the board. 

 In America Marla Gangler’s J-Cee Kiro Peppermint Twist, who is called Pepper for short, has completed another successful run at the CAT Trials and that has earned him his Coursing Ability Advanced Title.  He is an American Champion and is now entitled to put CAA after his name as well. Marla thinks that he is the first Manchester Terrier to earn his title. 

Ella Eva

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The Oxley family have lost their Ch. Digelsa Dire Straights [Ch Harkeats Gunner General X Digelsa Definitely Maybe] born 3^rd June 1998 which makes him 15 years old.  He won his first of 3 CCs at WELKS & then the BMTC in 2000 and Leeds in 2001, under Ian Beales, Margaret Clowes and Eileen Needham respectively; also  3 RCCs.  It is always hard to loose a dog, but after so many years it is even harder.  Many messages of sympathy have come in from many friends.

The BMTC AGM on the 1^st April saw a good few changes to the Club rules; including one to make it possible for non-specialists to Judge at the Club shows.  This is the first time in all the years that I have been in the breed.   To my mind and that of many others it was a necessary change.  The breed is being acknowledged in the show ring these days and it is high time that we let ‘outsiders’ into our shows.  There is something very special in judging a breed show or even spectating at one, you learn so much about the breed that is impossible at either a Championship show or Open show.  A good few people made the point that it was extremely hard to get up the judging ladder and this rule would make it even harder.  The new rule says that a non specialist could be invited to judge once in every four years.  The rules for appointing judges is the same, they have to be nominated and seconded by Club Members and their name will go forward to the AGM to be voted on along with all the other nominations.

The club is in good heart financially, with 244 members in this year which is the 75^th Anniversary of the Club.  Breed members take part and support a wide range of activities outside the show ring, Agility, Heelwork to music, obedience and all the shows within shows that we are invited to like the CLA Game Fair and the St George’s Day parade in Manchester city.  The Bundys have been awarded the Phil Margiotta Trophy this year for their work at shows like this.  It is well deserved as they come along, help set up stands etc etc.  The Harkeats Trophy for someone who in the opinion of the committee has contributed to the breed over a very long time has been won this year by Margaret Clowes of the Churnet Manchester Terriers.

Mick Oxley, our Chairman, announced a DNA Scheme that has been put together with the Animal Health Trust to monitor dogs with renal problems.   The test is free, though the AHT will gratefully accept donations towards the costs.  You should go to Mick or Carol Wicker the Secretary for more information.  I am sure that details will be given out in Newsletters etc in the future.  Kidney problems seem to be a prevalent in the breed and this will be a way to find out the extent of the problem and maybe find some solutions.  There have been no changes in the Officers and Committee of the Club, though Clare Akrigg has resigned; there was a vote of thanks to her for her work on behalf of the Club.  That leaves the Committee one short and as they all do a great deal of work over the year on our behalf it makes even more work for the remaining 11.  Perhaps someone could be co opted.

Ella Eva

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Chris Garret tells me that Gordon has been chosen to carry the Olympic torch on one of its ‘legs’.  I don’t know when or where, except it will of course be in the Reading area, where they live.  Gordon explains :

“I work for Thames Water who is a “third tier” sponsor of the Olympics. As part of this package they are allowed to nominate two torchbearers. Nominations were sought from across the company for the two places and I was successful. It was seen as a very good way of getting the story of my cancer out to a large audience. Prostate cancer is curable, or manageable if contained within the prostate, if it gets into the body, as it has with mine, it can be treated for so many years but not cured.

My nomination will allow my story; the symptoms, my time on the drug trial and other aspects of this illness to be highlighted in the Thames Water paper and maybe outside of Thames and may save someone’s life.

It will also allow me to thank the hard working chemo nurses; my close colleagues and especially Chris for helping me fight this horrible illness.”

Many of us who live in the area will be there to cheer him on and I will try to put place and time in the Notes as far ahead as possible.

Chris and Ann Harrison’s Sophie has modelled at Crufts for a company called Pony steps, who make bling collars for dogs.   Sophie’s collar is a waterfall of diamante.  It looks wonderful on the black, short coated dog and Sophie is hamming it up for the photographer for all she is worth.  She is a natural at modelling.  It is something that all Manchester Terriers should have in their wardrobe for those special occasions.

The newsreels are full at the moment of young people very much the worse for drink, causing trouble and expense where ever they are.  The show dog world seems to be in a lot of trouble too, with the ex Chairman even saying that it is in danger of being banned somehow.  I think that the Kennel Club have a wonderful advertisement for dog showing in the YKC.  Junior Handlers do not get drunk at the weekend, they are up at crack of sparrow helping their parents with their dogs, loading up cars and travelling to shows.  At the shows they appear immaculately dressed with impeccable manners showing their dogs.  They are in every way a good advertisement for the dog showing world.  The Kennel Club should be shouting to the entire world about these wonderful young people and their dogs.

Ella Eva

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Congratulations to the Hemsells, their Tetani Wizard of Dreams won his Junior Warrant and celebrated with a picture in the JW picture Gallery in the Kennel Gazette. The Knight’s Talanors Taylor Made Treat has also won her JW, by going BOB at West Torrington show this weekend.  The Harrisons are celebrating too because their Sophyla Sophie has won her Silver Good Citizens award.  She was handled by Chris, who was worried that he would forget the answers to his part of the test, but Sophie sailed through without a fault.

Did you see the ETT was the Judges Choice in the Kennel Gazette?  One dog was chosen several times by the Judges and that was Ch Brynlythe Tania, bred and owned by Shirley and Ted Ellis Jones.  Peter was invited a few years ago by a Club down in the West Country to give a talk on the Manchester Terrier and the ETT.  He accepted for the Manchester but said that he could not possibly talk on the ETT.  Eventually Shirley was persuaded to come along with one of her dogs; but she said that she would not talk.  She brought Tania along as the demonstration dog.  Peter started the talk and eventually Shirley joined in.  The evening became one of the funniest and most instructive talks on the two breeds.  One of the audience fell off his chair laughing.  Peter says that Shirley makes the best trifle that he has ever tasted. 

Our thanks to all those who manned the Discover Dogs breed stand, especially to Gill and Clive Knight who set up the stand and organised everything for us.  This is Gill’s account of it.  “A huge thank you to all who helped putting the Discover Dogs section together this year; many hands made the work lighter and faster on Wednesday, thanks to Janet, Dave and Mandy.  Helpers were Egloshayle Team, Rose, Mabel and Lilly, with Janet and Dave, Woody and Poppy with Mandy,  Sophie and Monty with Anne and Chris and our own gang of three, Tia, Taylor and Talia, helped by the able Sue Pinkham and Ann Mason.  Sunday was the young puppies Sky and Dexter.  Many thanks, as without your kind support this huge PR scheme couldn’t go ahead.

The stand was again very popular; there was much interest in the breed both as information but also many enquiries about becoming new owners.  Some new owners came back to see us again and there was interest in rescue homes.

We have invited lots of new people to the happening, many showed an interest in attending to enable them to see lots of MT’s and meet the breed.”

Ella Eva

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The Kennel Club has new research on genetic diversity which they think will save breeds at risk from extinction and the Manchester Terrier is one of those breeds.  I found this rather a shock as it seems we are doing rather well at the moment.  It is a joint initiative by the Kennel Club and the AHT.  It is aimed at tackling high levels of inbreeding and reduced fertility levels.  The thinking is to find out how many dogs with different genomes are contributing to the breed’s population.  The level that is thought to be sustainable is 100; below that level can lead to loss of fertility.  The Manchester Terrier is assessed as having an having an effective population of only 20.  The Kennel Club is hoping to help breeders develop strategies which will prevent the decline of genetic diversity.  They hope that they can help breeders look at solutions which might include out crossing, importing from abroad and using a wider variety of stud dog.  The Mate Select service will now tell a breeder how many times a stud dog has been used.   Out crossing with the ETT was permitted in the 1950’s to help with the then very small gene pool and the lamentable state of temperaments within the breed.  The problem with importing is that most of the European and Scandinavian dogs are from UK lines.   The American Standard Manchester Terrier has the only completely different lines that exist; the problem with them is that they interbreed the Toy lines with the Standard and of course they crop ears, making it impossible to know what the ear carriage is of any dog.  In addition it has proved very unpopular with the majority of Manchester Terrier owners and breeders in the UK.  The hoo haa over the importation of a bitch from America still reverberates.  The breed does not at the moment show any signs of reduced fertility.  The litter sizes stay at an average of 4.  Though there seems to have been a few stud dogs that have been found to be infertile after an initial success.

On to more cheering news, the Talanors kennel of Clive and Gill Knight has had a wonderful year with the successes of the Beardows Ch/Int Ch Talanors Helluva Treat for Sipowitz and then they introduced the puppy, Talanors Taylor Made Treat, the result is that they are Top Breeders with the Top Puppy and Dog in the Terrier Group.

Nicola Jayne’s Dodger has won his way into Grade 5 Agility, a great way to celebrate his 7^th birthday.  He had a one second time fault.  Nicola is relieved, because otherwise he would have won his way into a higher grade and she is not sure that he is ready yet for the dizzying heights of Grade 6.  He celebrated his win with a jam doughnut for his tea.

DODGER IN ACTION

Betty Purkis writes with the sad news that her Amy [Chilsam Fame at Last] has died.  She was nearly 12.  She had not been eating well for a few days and one morning got out of her bed by the AGA and died at their feet.  As Betty says a merciful death for her, but a horrible shock for them.  She was shown very little, but did some winning, including BP at the 2002 club Open Show and RBIS at the Liverpool Terrier Club.  She was not shown much because of their involvement with the Gundogs and Toys.

Ella Eva

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BREED NOTES – 26^TH FEBRUARY 2012

Lesley, Nigel and Wayne Norris who breed the Brookstream Manchester Terriers have been awarded the Accolade of Excellence under the Assured Breeders Scheme.  Congratulations to them from all of us.  It takes a lot of work over a great many years, dedication to the breed, as well as an eye for a dog.

 Ann Harrison would like volunteers for the St George’s Day parade in Manchester, “Once again Manchester Terriers have been invited to join the St Georges Day Parade through the streets of their namesake city.  This year it takes place on Sunday 22nd April, and involves a steady walk of about 2 – 3 miles starting from Miles Platting at 11 am and finishing about 2 pm in the same place.  Victorian costume is entirely optional, red and white obligatory!!

 Those who have joined the walk in previous years will confirm that we have a reet good time and a good laugh with the crowds and the other members of the Parade.

 The beauty of this particular event is that all members of the family can join in – all are welcome!!  The dogs love it, they are the only animals in the parade (although we have attracted a few interlopers in the past!) so we get extra big cheers from the crowd – it is a real feel-good event, and all for a good cause – last year it was Help for Heroes.  I should warn you though – dogs have been known to be cuddled by Police Officers in the past”

 If you would like to join in the fun please contact Ann on either. 01260 279135 or annandchrisharrison@tiscali.co.  She would love to see you there with your Manchester Terriers.

The BMTC held it’s 75^th Anniversary Show on Saturday 25^th February with Anthony Arundel of the Browdel Manchester Terriers judging an entry of 75 dogs.  For once the sun shone the whole day, though there was a bitterly cold wind to go with it.  Out of them all he made Lesley Olbison and Mary Kelly’s Pauceline Andoni BIS [Ch Brookstream Marcus Banks JW ShCM X  Quixol Black Bryony]   It was a very popular win, Lesley is new to the breed and the dog was bred by Lady & Mr Standring who are also new to the breed.  Lesley and Mary have thanked all those who have given them advice in the time they have been in the breed as to how to show Mr Darcy and get the best out of him, but I think that he did it all himself.  He seemed to enjoy every moment of showing and loved the applause at the end.  BOS was the Palmer’s Ch Egloshayle Sea Lily [Ch Newtonian Slim Shady JW ShCM X Ch E Black Samphire]   Beating her litter sister, the Dale’s E Sea Sprite of Rattustrap JW ShCM to the post as she came RBB.  RBD was the Goodwin’s Digelsa Dionysis.  Best Puppy was the dog, the Ajula’s Tetani Thor’s Quest [Ch Digelsa Dark Destroyer ShCM X Tetani Spirit of the Wind]   I gave him the wrong affix when I reported on his last win, it is Tetani and not Talanors as written.  Judy Thurlow’s Erkenwyne Spritzer [Megellan Flash Harry X Brenandi Genteel Gypsy at Erkenwyne] was the Best Bitch Puppy.  There were 7 new pups out, which is good news for the breed.

BEST IN SHOW - BMTC OPEN SHOW 2012

As ever the BMTC Committee ran a beautifully organised and well set up show.  I loathe and detest the venue and the show started with no lights on, very little coming in through the little, high up windows and the dogs disappearing on the black floor; but they overcome all these difficulties to put on a very good, friendly show;  thanks to  them from us all.

Ella Eva

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 The exhibition at the Kennel Club devoted to the history of Manchester Terriers  was launched on the  8^th February at the Kennel Club Art Gallery.  It is entitled “A Terriers Tale.  The Manchester Terrier through history.”

Peter and I were not able to go, which was sad for us as we had a picture in the display and were looking forward to seeing all the other pictures and objects.  This is Leo St Clairs’ report on the day.
“Glad also that everyone appears to have enjoyed the launch.  I hope I am not alone in saying how impressed I was by Helen Dorey’s (Deputy Director and Inspector, Sir John Soane Museum) opening speech. I think we were so lucky to have her and this is just the start of what, I am sure will be a long and fruitful relationship between our Club and the Museum.
The KC was very impressed by her as well as the painting of Mrs Soane, because it has such a great story behind it. Few breeds can claim to have an early example of their breed treated by Youatt while he was also attending to Lord Byron’s dog. Some very elevated personages at the KC also said that the exhibition was one of the best they’d had.”  Thanks to Leo, H Hockley and to Luisa Pontello of the Kennel Club for dreaming up the show, putting it all together, finding some of the exhibits in the unlikeliest places, persuading the owners and museums to allow them to be shown. There will be a trip to the show for those attending the Happening which is to take place in the UK this year.  Book your places now! We in the breed do go on rather about it being such an old breed, an English breed and one that slowly evolved to become what it is now, out of the Black and Tan Terrier.  This exhibition is a triumphant celebration of that long history.
Judy Thurlow writes “All Championship trophies won during 2011 will be awarded at the AGM on 1st April 2012. We would appreciate all trophy holders to return them either at the AGM or the Open Show on 25th February cleaned and boxed. Please, therefore, attend the AGM to receive your trophies or allocate someone to collect and sign for it on your behalf.”

Please return them in good condition, cleaned if they are silver and in a box.  It is not fair on the Cup Steward if he/she has to clean them before they can be handed out.  I did the job for a long time and it is horrible to open a tatty plastic bag and find a filthy silver trophy that you have to polish before it can be handed onto whoever has won it.

The Breed Record Supplement is published for the last quarter of 2011. 152 Manchester Terriers were bred in 2011.  That is the highest number bred for 10 years and maybe more, but I don’t have the figures before then.  This quarter there were 10 litters making 42 dogs.  8 stud dogs were used, one dog sired three litters.  During the year 6 dogs were exported, 1 to the USA and 1 to Australia, the other 6 to Europe and Scandinavia. There were two imports, from Norway and Holland.  During this quarter three dogs were tested for vWD, two of them Carriers and one Clear; all from the same litter.  One dog won his Junior Warrant and that was our Sam Brown.

Ella
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  The UK has been buried in snow and it has affected shows.  Wellingborough show was called off at the last minute, literally; some of us checked the shows web site until quite late the evening before and it was still going ahead.  We decided not to go anyway as the traffic reports for the M40 were of cars stuck all night and a lot of disruption.

Mick Oxley took about an hour to dig his car out of the snow and then discovered when he arrived at Pollard show that his Diglesa De Ja Vu was the only Manchester that had turned up for the breed classes.  She went BOB of course, but then won the Terrier Group; which must have been well worth the digging.  Last heard of, she and Mick were waiting to go in the BIS ring.

H says that Harkeats Imperial Imp at Gwecaz , who we know better as Trevor, has passed his Gold GCDS.  He was handled to his gong by Denise.  Well done to them both, it is a wonderful win.  A lot of hard work goes into getting a terrier to that level of obedience.  Manchester Terriers have the brain for it, but can lack concentration and are often distracted.

On the BMTC web site we have been discussing the seasonal loss of hair that Manchesters always seem to have about this time; normally on the back of the hind legs and behind the ears.  Sandy Krigsveld of the Thunderdragon MTs in Holland says that she understands that the top coat of all dogs thins at this time of year, but in compensation the second undercoat thickens.  As MTs have only one coat the loss is very noticeable and a great nuisance to us who show our dogs as it coincides with Crufts.  In the USA a judge has Disqualified several dogs with this thinning at a show there recently.  She said that it was not in the Standard and that the competitors who objected should read their Standard.  Being Disqualified in the USA is very serious as it could mean that the dog is not allowed to be shown again. 

The dates for Crufts 2013 had to be changed from their normal slot, because of some confusion in the booking system at the NEC.  The dates have now been reinstated and are on the 7^th to 10^th March, with Terriers on the 7^th.

Ella Eva

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